Meet St. Louis Cardinals' new hitting coach - Mark McGwire
Danny Tse
Posts: 5,206
McGwire will face the media once again....
Mark McGwire is back in baseball, reunited with Tony La Russa as the St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach.
La Russa agreed to return for a 15th year as manager Monday with a one-year contract, the first time he hasnt had a multiyear deal with the team. All of his coaches will return except for Hal McRae, who will be replaced by the former star.
Mark is passionate about the game, passionate about the Cardinals, chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. Tony thinks hell be a great coach, and I think hes got a lot to offer.
McGwire was not at the news conference at Busch Stadium, but La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak said there will be no effort to shield McGwire from questions about steroids. The team anticipated a telephone news conference with McGwire.
By no means is he trying to hide, and by no means are we trying to hide him, Mozeliak said.
McGwire hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998 and retired with 583 homers and a .263 career average in 2001. He famously refused to answer questions about steroids use during a March 2005 congressional hearing, saying he wasnt there to talk about the past.
He has received just under 25 percent support from voters in his three appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot, well under the 75 percent needed. La Russa hopes the 46-year-old can use this position to repair a tarnished image.
Im a big fan of his, the manager said. Hes back in uniform and, hopefully, people will see his greatness. But the No. 1 reason hes here is to coach our hitters.
La Russa said he first contacted McGwire about the coaching job a week earlier, when he was still supposedly mulling his future. He said McGwire showed immediate interest, but the manager said the steroids topic was not broached.
Its up to Mark how he wants to handle it, La Russa said. What we want him to do is coach our hitters, and if he does that well, were going to be happy.
La Russa had been attempting to persuade McGwire to return to the team as a spring training instructor for several seasons. La Russa managed McGwire for all but one of his 16 seasons, both in Oakland and St. Louis.
McGwire has worked with Cardinals hitters and other major leaguers in recent offseasons at his California home. The group includes Matt Holliday(notes), which could make McGwire an asset in the teams negotiations with the free agent outfielder.
Cardinals hitters such as leadoff man Skip Schumaker(notes) have long been complimentary of McGwires tutoring, and La Russa said he has witnessed McGwires ability to pass on hitting knowledge.
La Russa said McGwire always refused the Cardinals previous offers because his family was younger.
I watched some sessions and I said, `Wow, he really has a good approach, La Russa said. Hes got the whole thing - mechanics, the power of the mind. So I asked him.
La Russa, who turned 65 on Oct. 4, had been assessing his interest in returning since the NL Central champion Cardinals were swept in the division series by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 10. His $8.5 million, two-year contract was to expire at the end of the month, and he said he finalized his decision last weekend.
I would be here if Mark wasnt the coach, La Russa said. The fact that hes here adds some more fire to the gut.
La Russa has produced eight playoff teams and the Cardinals have drawn 3 million-plus fans at home in 11 of his 14 seasons. He and DeWitt both said the one-year contract is better because La Russa reassesses his interest every year, and not because the manager is looking at 2010 as a farewell.
I know theres an end in sight somewhere, La Russa said. This is a great place to be. Past stars show up all the time. Youve got to be a mummy not to be affected by that.
McRae was hitting coach for five seasons, but the team struggled offensively toward the end of the season and in the playoffs. The Cardinals hit .133 (4 for 30) with runners in scoring position in the postseason.
Pitching coach Dave Duncan also will return. He became upset with the organization, fans and reporters when his son, outfielder Chris Duncan(notes), was traded to Boston in July. The Red Sox released Chris Duncan soon after the trade.
Where he coaches, thats where I want to manage, La Russa said. Hes that good.
Post edited by Danny Tse on
Comments
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What's his coaching strategy?
"Alright guys, first you talk to Manuel on the corner of 4th and main. He'll set you up with what you need. Then you take syringe case and screw in the disposable needle. Remember, don't share these with each other! Then you stab the self-sealing top on the bottle. Make sure you don't get any air in the syringe 'cause that'll kill ya! Once you fill up to the mark Dr Nick showed you, jab it somewhere and squeeze. I preferred my butt but if they are going to be looking for puncture wounds, do it between your toes. It's less obvious that way! Then....."Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you! -
It's an interesting choice for sure. It'll be good for them to mix it up a bit.
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BaaaaahahahahahahGood music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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Seriously? The man averaged a strike out every 3.88 at bats and was a career .263 hitter.
Where on his resume does it show him to be competent of teaching players to hit well (and not just over the moon)?I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
zombie boy 2000 wrote: »Seriously? The man averaged a strike out every 3.88 at bats and was a career .263 hitter.
Where on his resume does it show him to be competent of teaching players to hit well (and not just over the moon)?
They should have hired Larry Walker, who was a truly great hitter, and may have been the best big man to run the bases.Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
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I'm happy with that choice being a Red Sox fan.
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They should have hired Larry Walker, who was a truly great hitter, and may have been the best big man to run the bases.
aka "Booger" has my vote any day... -
LOL, I couldn't agree more. Pretty odd choice for a hitting coach, but I'm sure it has something to do with his "history" for the Cards.
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It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. -
What's his coaching strategy?
"Alright guys, first you talk to Manuel on the corner of 4th and main. He'll set you up with what you need. Then you take syringe case and screw in the disposable needle. Remember, don't share these with each other! Then you stab the self-sealing top on the bottle. Make sure you don't get any air in the syringe 'cause that'll kill ya! Once you fill up to the mark Dr Nick showed you, jab it somewhere and squeeze. I preferred my butt but if they are going to be looking for puncture wounds, do it between your toes. It's less obvious that way! Then....."
ROTFLMFAO He gonna teach 'em how not to get caught
They should have hired Larry Walker, who was a truly great hitter, and may have been the best big man to run the bases.
Definately agree that LW was one of the greatest batter's of the last 10 - 15 year's ++ He did us Canuck's proud
He was no slouch on the bag's or in the field either Media Room 7.1
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